Most people want security in this world, not liberty.

Quote by H L Mencken

Topics: H L Mencken Quotes

An idealist is one who, on noticing that roses smell better than a cabbage, concludes...

An idealist is one who, on noticing that roses smell better than a cabbage, concludes...

In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for;...

In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for;...

Love is the delusion that one man or woman differs from another.

Love is the delusion that one man or woman differs from another.

There are men so philosophical that they can see humor in their own toothaches. But...

There are men so philosophical that they can see humor in their own toothaches. But...

Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop.

Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop.

When a man laughs at his troubles he loses a great many friends. They never...

When a man laughs at his troubles he loses a great many friends. They never...

Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to...

Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to...

The opera is to music what a bawdy house is to a cathedral.

The opera is to music what a bawdy house is to a cathedral.

Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.

Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.

It is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended from...

It is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended from...

Every man sees in his relatives, and especially in his cousins, a series of grotesque...

Every man sees in his relatives, and especially in his cousins, a series of grotesque...

A politician is an animal which can sit on a fence and yet keep both...

A politician is an animal which can sit on a fence and yet keep both...

In war the heroes always outnumber the soldiers ten to one.

In war the heroes always outnumber the soldiers ten to one.

I believe in only one thing: liberty; but I do not believe in liberty enough...

I believe in only one thing: liberty; but I do not believe in liberty enough...

The penalty for laughing in a courtroom is six months in jail; if it were...

The penalty for laughing in a courtroom is six months in jail; if it were...

A church is a place in which gentlemen who have never been to heaven brag...

A church is a place in which gentlemen who have never been to heaven brag...

There is always an easy solution to every problem - neat, plausible, and wrong.

There is always an easy solution to every problem - neat, plausible, and wrong.

For it is mutual trust, even more than mutual interest that holds human associations together....

For it is mutual trust, even more than mutual interest that holds human associations together....

The nearest I can make it out, Love your Enemies means, Hate your Friends

The nearest I can make it out, Love your Enemies means, Hate your Friends

The essence of childhood, of course, is play, which my friends and I did endlessly...

The essence of childhood, of course, is play, which my friends and I did endlessly...